Tropical Storm Cristobal weakened to a tropical depression on Monday.
The winds, rain, flooding and tornadoes remained a threat from the Gulf Coast to Missouri, however, according to USA Today.
More than 20,000 homes and businesses in Louisiana and Mississippi were without power Monday morning.
Wind gusts to tropical storm-force were forecast Monday from southeastern Louisiana to the western Florida Panhandle. Gusty winds were expected to sweep north through Wednesday over portions of the Midwest and western Great Lakes, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The storm was expected to produce rainfall accumulations of 5 to 10 inches across portions of the Gulf Coast into the Lower Mississippi Valley, with isolated amounts to 15 inches. Heavy rains could stretch as far north as Wisconsin, added the weather service.
The storm was centered 40 miles north of Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Monday morning, with sustained winds of 35 mph. State offices in 22 parishes were closed and President Donald Trump approved federal assistance for the state's cleanup efforts.
Gov. Jon Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency last week, added USA Today.
"We are continuing to work with our federal partners on those parts of the request that have not been addressed," said Edwards in a tweet. "Our citizens have weathered many storms, and I’m certain that they will this time as well."
According to the latest forecast advisory, the storm path will occur inland through southeast Louisiana on Monday, north into Arkansas and Missouri by Tuesday, ultimately moving over Wisconsin on Tuesday night and into Canada by Wednesday.
City officials said the biggest issue of the storm for first responders was providing assistance to dozens of motorists who tried to drive through flooded roadways.
Alabama’s bridge linking the mainland to Dauphin Island was closed for most of Sunday, with police and state transportation department vehicles leading convoys of motorists to and from the island when weather permitted.
In Florida, a tornado uprooted trees and downed power lines Sunday afternoon south of Lake City near Interstate 75, reported USA Today.
